This major redevelopment proposal, replacing an unsympathetic post-War quarter of Winchester, evolved over a significant period. The original planning brief was somewhat unrealistic in viability terms and the need to build at relatively high density put pressure on design quality. An architectural competition was held, based on advice from the consultancy. Allies and Morrison were chosen and set about examining the possibilities. Public consultation was key to progress and Richard Coleman chaired some major public events for that purpose. The consultancy was engaged to assess the townscape effect of the proposals as part of the Environmental Statement. In discussion with the consultancy, the architects were able to achieve considerable height with a human scale (see photomontage – left). A number of distant views were also studied, and as can be seen from the accurate visual representations produced, the development fits comfortably into the city without denying its presence or imposing alien scale or form. It has received permission.